Day eight. Today was a lonely day. Everybody else was busy and I was left alone. Chiasa and Ayaka left to go somewhere without me. Okumura wasn't here. The only ones in the building were the magical girl of Combat and Adrinia. I particularly didn't know those two well and I didn't want to remain all alone in the building so I took a walk.
It has been some time since I was properly alone. Ever since I entered the council I was either accompanied or too tired to do anything when alone. This is the first proper time I was left alone… all alone.
I feel so hungry and sad.
It's all so quiet. The streets were lacking anybody in sight… not even monsters anywhere… well on the bright side at least nobody can see my silly costume. All these random motifs and designs sewn together to make this ugly costume.
I let out a small chuckle… “What am I doing?” How many more days will I do this little dance? Is this my purpose in life? Killing monsters and preventing the deaths of others. Isn't that too much of a burden?
No, I have it better than others don't I? I'm strong and resilient. I can survive so much longer than my fellow magical girls. I'm not fragile like them. With this strength I should fight the monsters in their place.
I subconsciously walked towards a familiar looking park. It was a place I used to stay when I first began my second life as a magical girl. I wonder how my old friends are doing. Do they ever miss me? Do they care that I'm gone?
What happened to the group I joined shortly. An idol group? That was quite the unbelievable short period of my life. I wasn't thinking at all when I was training under that bird. I wonder if they made it big. I'm gonna have to check their music out in the future.
I took a stroll at the park, the plants were withering and pale in color. A long time has probably passed since this place got any proper nurturing. Maybe me and the plants here are not so different.
I'm like a small bush, surrounded by trees…
I'm like a small lizard living in the desert. Quite scaly…
Hmph. Poetry was never a strong point of mine. In school I never did pay proper attention to any of the subjects. I always ran to the arcade to play games with my friends after school. I enjoyed that a lot. There weren't any consoles in my home for me to enjoy, ahh I didn't even have a phone, my mother was very weird with her money.
She always bought strange things that people told her were ‘magical’ and ‘life-changing’. It was all a scam as far as I know. Miracle waters, good luck charms, future readings, and random assortments of things to fight off ghosts. In a world with actual monsters and magical girls, I still wonder how she fell for those obvious false promises.
All of this wasted money just to try and get a deadbeat to come back.
I walked out of the park and back to the streets. Unlike earlier, I saw other people walking around. I felt less sad now that I was surrounded by people but I still felt an immense hunger.
I wonder if I ever severed any relationships like my father. I have heard before that children are heavily influenced by the personalities of their parents… and this scares me a little. I don't want to end up like a fool like my mother, she was relying on her weird purchases, no friends to tell her to stop.
Ah I remember somebody. An old classmate of mine… that was something I tend to forget. Something that was worth forgetting. I do wonder if people are able to be forgiven. If they regret it, can't everybody just forget it happened in the first place. Is sorry really enough to fix the problem?
Such a selfish way to think…
Where is everybody? Where is anybody? I'm surrounded by people, strangers, and I feel so alone. Are my colleagues my friends? Do they enjoy my presence? No, why would they? I’m just another person to be tutored, a person needing babysitting. I'm weak without them, a dead weight?
I'm not close to anyone, am I? Even my old friends at school, we never had any conversations that were deep in nature. I wasn't able to share anything about myself, things I hold dear and things that make me vulnerable. I can't think anymore, I'm so hungry. I haven't eaten anything today. I have been wandering for so long. I'm starving.
Why am I so depressed today? Why am I asking so many questions? What is even my life? I'm hungry. I'm all alone. I'm all alone.
My head hurts, my body is fragile and my mind is dying. I'm scared. Where is everybody? It's dark? When did it get so dark? How many hours have I walked? What if an invasion happens right now? I don't want to fight! What if I die? My luck is running out. It's only a matter of time before I die. Like her! Or her! Or them! I died before? Why do I deserve life? Am I a bad person? I am! I hurt people and I do things selfishly! Why do I need somebody to talk to right now! Stop being so selfish will you? Please any normal person should be fine with a little solitude. I feel my humanity slipping! Calm down! Calm down please. Stop it all. I'm hungry. I'm alone. I'm alone. I'm so damn hungry. I hate this all.
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Shima opened the doors of the magical girl council building. It was dark outside and she had no other place to go. Unlike the other members, this place was her home and her place of rest. She walked down the corridor and towards her room. She passed by a lot of doors until she stopped in her tracks. There was some commotion inside one of the lit rooms. She opened the door… A bright sensation of joy and family blinded her. The room was filled with loud chatter and a vibrant melody.
“Oh welcome Shima.” Okumura pushed off Mori and ran towards Shima. She took big steps towards the newly arrived girl before slowing down upon seeing her face. “Uhh… Welcome back, this is your party Shima! So let's enjoy it to the fullest.” Shima glanced up, seeing a massive banner.
*Congratulations and Welcome Shima*
“We have a feast over here.” She said, grabbing onto Shima's arm and pulling her towards a table filled with food. “We have some of your favorites!” Shima gazed at the mixture of dishes in front of her. There were some agedashi tofu, a tower of okonomiyaki, sukiyaki, a bowl of ice cream, and two balls of mochi.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Her mouth remained open and she gazed stunned at Okumura. “How did you know? I don't think I ever told you any of this.”
Her cat ears began to twitch as she smiled nervously. “Umm well, that's because I care for you?”
“You do?”
“Yes. Of course I d-wah!” She was pushed back a little, her legs rushing to keep balanced and her hands jumping up to hold her hat down. Shima was hugging her in a tight embrace, her head resting on Okumura’s shoulder.
“It's alright… Today might be a bad day but in the future everything will be alright.” Okumura patted Shima’s back awkwardly, she wasn't used to comforting other people like this.
“Thank you.” Shima slid down from the hug and jumped away. She wiped her eyes clean of any anguish and smiled at Okumura. “Sorry I get depressed when I'm hungry.” She turned towards the pile of food prepared just for her. She then grabbed onto the girl taking the plates and pulled her off.
“Ayaka, these are mine!”
“Eehh?” She tilted her head in confusion, “I don't see your name on here so I'm sorry.” Ayaka pushed forward, her hands gravitating towards the tower of calories.
“Chiasa, go stop her!” Said Shima, trying to sound angry “hehehe” as small chuckles began to slip out of her facade.
“Please excuse her.” Ayaka was lifted into the air and placed away. She raised her hands in protest as she shouted angrily before being passed a plate full of sweet bread.
“We weren't able to prepare you any anteaters but I'll make sure to get you some tomorrow!” Shima raised her hands and covered Chiasa’s armor piercing smile. “No need and uh please forget about that event.”
Shima got a plate and got herself busy filling it up. She got all her favorites and went over to another table filled with drinks. “Greetings Shima.” She turned her head over to the chair next to the table. An unfamiliar face holding an almost empty cup of a red colored drink smiled at her.
“How's the food? It's a little sad they weren't able to prepare the beef wellington you always wanted to taste.”
“The beef wellington? How do you know I always wanted to eat that?”
“Oh? I'm Nakazawa Ryo, didn't you see my name on the banner?” Shima glanced back at the banner. Next to her name in a very tiny piece of paper that was taped to the banner read. “and Ryo”
“I got into the council just today so they decided to squeeze me into your welcome party.” She said, stirring her cup around.
“Hello, my name is Shima. I'll be in your care.”
“Me too Shima Ayami.”
“How?” She backed off placing her plate onto the table and covering her face with her hands. “Don't get close to me, you stalker, criminal, loser, and coward!.”
“Woah wait! Those are some bad names you're calling me! I'm the magical girl of knowledge, I just know these things!”
“Oh, yeah no I was just joking, I thought you just asked any of them.” Shima let out a slight chuckle and lifted her plate again. “But wait, so that means.” She swung her head to the side, staring directly into the eyes of Okumura who was gazing nervously at a wall.
“Hah… hahaha!”
“What got you laughing so much?” Adrinia walked towards the two joyful magical girls. She lifted her eye mask and shoved it down into the pocket of her pajamas. “Also welcome to the both of you to the council.”
“Thank you. I was just in a cheerful mood because a certain somebody was lying about something dumb.
“Mori?”
“What is it?” Mori appeared out of nowhere holding a skewered piece of barbecue and the magical girl of time by the back of her collar. “Oh hello nameless! It's sad but Ai and Combat couldn't join us. I don't know about Ai but that brat Combat needed to sleep early or some other lame excuse she said.”
“He-hello you two.” Kohaku, the magical girl of time, raised her head in a pathetic manner. She was a timid girl and this was the first meeting between her and the new recruits.
“Oh, speak up Kohaku, or else you'll end up like that weirdo Softness.”
“Umm no-no I won't end up like her!”
“Hey I can heard that!” Yelled Okumura angrily across the room.”
“Watch your tone Softness, it's rude to raise your voice against your ever so caring seniors!”
“Huh? Would you shut up already?”
“Stop, both of you. This is giving me a big headache.” Said Adrinia, raising her hand at the two of them. “Isn't this a moment of celebration for these two green horns? Stop all this rambling.”
“That's right guys. Fighting is bad so sto-stop, please.”
“If you say so Kohaku, I'll think I'll let this loser have the night off.”
“Good choice.”
“Hey, what if we all take a picture together?” Chimed in Nakazawa, popping her head back into the conversation. "I bought this super expensive camera and I was itching to finally use it.”
“Oh that's a great idea! Memories are important after all.” Said Chiasa, appearing out of nowhere. “And sometimes you can even see yourself in them~” Added Ayaka.
“Ok let's bundle up everybody, I don't want to see any of you shove anybody.”
“Wait, who takes the picture?”
“I'll take the pic-picture.” Volunteered Kohaku. “I'm quite camera shy…”
“Oh don't say that, you know the price of this baby is gonna be massive if we are both in the picture!”
“Wait for real?” Nakazawa ran off from the group and took a photographer’s stance. “I'm gonna make some big bucks with this pic.”
“No, give me that.” Okumura dashed into Nakazawa and nicked the camera from her hands. “I have a way to fit all of us in the picture. Chiasa, can you make me a metal pole about this tall?”
“Of course!” With one swift motion, she formed a metal pole in her arms and threw it at her leader. Okumura grabbed the pole and planted it into the ground. She placed the camera on top and lifted her hat. She brought it down and pulled out a metal bullet.
She tossed the bullet onto the pole and walked towards the group. She took her place next to Shima and groomed her cat ears before fixing her hat onto her head.
“Stop eating food and let go of that plate Ayaka.”
“Hmm~ but why? This is an integral part of my character.”
“Fine… Chiasa, remove your helmet.”
“Ahh! You're right. Wait just one righteous second.”
“Adriana. Transform into your magical girl outfit.”
“But it's so uncomfortable.”
“And?”
“Okay. But only for this picture.”
“Woah! Hehe, you look like one of my collector robot figurines.”
“Nakazawa, wipe off that drunk grin off your face.”
“Huh I'm not drunk?”
“I know a drunk when I see one.”
“How knowledgeable of you.”
“Shima, I like your smile but stop smiling like an idiot.”
“Oh huh? Hey what! Take that back… It's because you guys are just so…”
“So?”
“Nevermind.”
“Justice? You're not doing anything to ruin the picture?”
“No?! I would never ruin moments like this, I agree with Protection and Abyss, these sentimental memories are precious.”
“Okay softy.”
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
“Say cheese!” With a snap of her fingers, the bullet bounced and landed at the camera’s button, taking a high quality picture of the whole group.
“Alright.” Mori tackled softness to the ground, knocking her hat to the floor. Ayaka, grabbed onto Mori’s shoulder, giving her a glare of unfiltered rage. “I'm afraid you knocked my food into the ground. Don't you know that each and every single philosopher and even modern therapist believe one thing?”
“What!”
“Messing with a person’s food leads to this.” A torrent of water exploded from the ground and tossed both Okumura and Mori into the air.
She clasped her hands together and beams of water shot out from the air, wrapping Mori into a bubble before turning the bubble into multiple metallic chains.
Adrinia let out an annoyed sigh and pulled her arm back before punching it forward, sending out a blast of energy. Ayaka summoned a watery slope which the blast of energy sent her rising to the top.
Adrinia pointed her finger downward, summoning a robotic hand from the air and slamming Ayaka into the floor. The hand exploded and Chiasa jumped out of the smoke, landing in front of Adrinia with her helmet returning back to her head.
“I haven't fought you in a duel before, Adriana. I hope this will satisfy my curiosity of your strength.”
“Sure thing?” A wave of energy exploded from her outfit, sending a powerful shockwave which failed to budge Chiasa. Adrinia was then kicked out of the room with a strong blow from Chiasa.
Mori ripped the chains binding her and slammed her hand to the ground before lifting it into the air as multiple spears and swords floated around her.
Softness stood up and spat to the ground, her entire body soaked from the earlier cold torrent of water. She flipped her hat onto her hands and pulled out her scythe before tossing her hat back into the air and onto her head.
The two girls walk forward, approaching each other without saying a word.
Kohaku lifted her wand and Mori was flung to the side, preventing her from sending multiple blades onto Okumura’s flesh. However Okumura didn't bat an eye as she approached Ayaka.
“Hey! How many times do I have to tell you… I hate water!”
Ayaka sprung forward with a small frown. “Did I anger the little kitty cat?” Water exploded around her, sending out waves towards Okumura.
Kohaku rushed towards Mori who was resting under a pile of rubble without her consent. “Mori… Are you okay?”
“You made a big mistake Kohaku! I'll show you why the three of us are the only remaining original members!”
Kohaku nodded her head as the gears in her clothes began to spin into overdrive. “Round six?”
“Round six!” Mori collapsed the weapon into her hands and molded it into a golden bow.
Shima knelt over laughing and laughing until she felt cramps in her stomach. With an extremely pained mouth, she let out a cough and glanced at Nakazawa. She was hiding behind the table as she frantically smacked her phone trying to turn it on.
“Don't look at me! I'm not a fighter okay so don't get any funny idea now.”
Shima scratched the top of her head and wiped the tearso ff her eyes. “You play any fighting games?”
The magical girl of Knowledge stood up from her very fragile barricade and threw her faulty phone down onto the floor.
“I always wanted to.”
“Then let me show you my devilish combos!”